Flight Attendant Union Calls For Action To End Domestic Violence

June 26, 2012

Washington, DC, June 26, 2012 – Joined by hundreds of supporters and inspirational speakers, International President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), Veda Shook, spoke at a rally today in support of a Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization that serves all victims. The rally was part of a national campaign in support of the “real” VAWA bill pending in Congress.

“It is imperative that Congress continue its work to reauthorize the VAWA. We need to pass comprehensive, expansive reauthorization that expands protections to all victims of domestic violence; female, male, gay, bisexual transgender, Native American and immigrant,” said Shook. “Now is not the time to roll back current law and deny coverage to any victim.”

In addition to participating in today’s high-profile event, Flight Attendants across the country flooded Congressional leadership offices with calls urging the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to take action before leaving for summer recess. The “real” VAWA passed in the Senate on April 26. AFA and supporters hope that the Senate will resolve the procedural problems in S.1925 and bring the bill to conference with the House. A final bill must be passed before the end of summer, reauthorizing the landmark VAWA of 1994.

“In the early 1990s, AFA helped spearhead the implementation of VAWA. Today, we are here to help continue our legacy of fighting to end abuse in personal relationships. The list of potential victims is too long and our great nation has come too far in erasing barriers to legalized discrimination. It is time to pass the real VAWA so that no victim will be turned away and denied help and assistance,” added Shook.

The Association of Flight Attendants is the world’s largest Flight Attendant union. Focused 100 percent on Flight Attendant issues, AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight Attendant profession for over 65 years. Serving as the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill, AFA has transformed the Flight Attendant profession by raising wages, benefits and working conditions. Nearly 60,000 Flight Attendants at 21 airlines come together to form AFA, part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org.